MIIS Alumnus Aaron Stein Named a Top Young Foreign Policy Leader by Diplomatic Courier

Aaron Stein (MAIPS ’10) chaired one of the student delegations during the arms control negotiation simulation course at the Monterey Institute in October 2009.

September 10, 2013

Monterey Institute alumnus Aaron Stein (MAIPS ’10) has been named one of the “2013 Top 99 Foreign Policy Leaders Under 33,” an international list recognizing the most influential foreign policy leaders under the age of 33. The list is published by Diplomatic Courier magazine and co-sponsored by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.

Stein is a research associate at the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies in Istanbul, where he works on security and proliferation issues in the Middle East. In 2012, he and center director Sinan Ulgen launched Turkey’s first nonproliferation and disarmament program, creating a website that he describes as “the first comprehensive collection of scholarly articles covering all aspects of Turkey’s nuclear program and policies.” His work has been published in scholarly journals and print media including the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Foreign Policy, The National Interest, and World Politics Review.

“Aaron first demonstrated his leadership qualities to me during a semester-long U.S.-Russian arms control negotiation simulation in which he chaired the U.S. student delegation,” commented Dr. William Potter, director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute. “He excelled as a young scholar, writing a very creative research paper that explored the impact of psychological factors on Iranian nuclear perspectives. Aaron’s language skills and ability to bridge the theory/policy divide distinguishes him from many young leaders, and should serve him well as he pursues his chosen career.”

“I'm thrilled Aaron has received this well-earned recognition,” added Professor Philipp Bleek. “I nominated him for this award after working extensively with him, including co-authoring several articles, and watching him establish himself as a leading analyst of all things Turkish foreign policy-related on his incisive blog, Turkey Wonk, and in various other outlets. I expect big things from Aaron, and am happy to count him as both a collaborator and a friend.”